Dili, December 11, 2024 (Média Democracia) – Human Rights Association (HAK), Asean Justice and Right (AJAR) together with the State Secretariat of Fisheries and Forestry (SEPF) celebrated the international human rights declaration day with the theme, “Meeting to think together about the real conditions of Agriculture, Health, Education, Clean Water Problems and Finding ways to solve the problems.” The activity was held at the UCT hall, Balide, Dili, on Tuesday.
According to the Deputy Director of HAK Timor-Leste, Antonio de Limas said that this meeting is important to celebrate human rights day, but our lives always talk about the great responsibility to respect, protect and comply with the rights of all citizens.
“The Timor-Leste HAK Association is taking this time to continue talking about Human Rights issues, look at issues related to Rights, Economy, Social and Culture, therefore continue talking about Economy, Social, Education, Health including Clean Water issues, also the government is looking for ways to create services for citizens to serve everyone’s rights.” Said the Deputy Director
He continued, this meeting focused more on agriculture because in all countries the first basic foundation of development is agriculture, because through agriculture it can provide benefits to everyone’s life.
As the Secretary of State for Fisheries and Forestry, Domingos da Conceição dos Santos said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was declared 76 years ago as a declaration to respect the right to life for individuals and collectives in the world.
“Article 25 paragraph (1) of the Declaration ‘Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing, health care and social services and the right to security relevant to unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood/widower, old age or loss of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control’ and paragraph (2) ‘Pregnant women and infants require special care and assistance. All children living in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy equal social protection’,” he said.
He added that all participants in order to defend the rights and ensure a good life for citizens and society, the state and government of Timor-Leste established the Development Strategy Plan 2011-2030 (DSP 2011-2030) and the government’s commitment to improving the lives of the population.
“Development priorities such as, Section 4 ‘Economic Development’, are more than sectors such as: Rural Development, Agriculture, Petroleum, Tourism and Private Sector Investment, Agriculture Sector and its sub-sectors such as Fisheries and Agriculture, Food Cultivation ‘Agriculture and Horticulture’, Livestock and Forestry’,” he added.
He informed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAPPF) in the previous government and current ninth constitutional government, MAPPF a few years ago established a national program and plan in 2024 to combat hunger and malnutrition which national plan is called, “Action Plan to Reduce Hunger and Malnutrition in Timor-Leste”
“This plan is prepared by Ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Ministry of Health, and other related Ministries to ensure a good life for the population and society. To reduce hunger and malnutrition, all components such as the government, private sector, community, civil society, and development partners need to collaborate.” He informed.
He emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry has the responsibility to guarantee the right to access food security to reduce hunger and malnutrition in Timor Leste, especially the implementation of programs and action plans in the agricultural sector, increasing food production through irrigation services, mechanization and preparation of seeds for farmers.
“The fisheries section, the sea and aquatic of Timor-Leste are wider than the land area, likewise the sea and aquatic of Timor-Leste are rich in biological wealth and fish, shrimp, crabs and other resources that have high nutritional and economic value. To support the fisheries and agriculture services of the previous government, a legal basis was established as a general basis for the legal regime for the order, management of fisheries and agriculture.” He continued.
Further explained that there is a commitment to improve the standard of living of the community, realize and increase the role of fishermen and agriculture by gradually supporting fisheries and agriculture activities by providing support for fishing equipment such as ships and engines for fishing groups where has marine areas, so as to be able to increase fishing capacity so that it can increase production as well as income and nutrition for the lives of families, communities and all citizens.
Reported by : Nefiano
Picture by : Nelfiano